Connecticut Attorneys Obtain Win for Insurer Client Following Stage Prop Mishap

Connecticut attorneys Kathleen (“Kate”) F. Adams and Elizabeth (“Liz”) O’Donnell Hoff obtained summary judgment for their client, a defendant insurer, in a declaratory judgment action regarding insurance coverage.

The underlying tort action arose out of injuries sustained at a concert venue when a fellow patron fell into the claimant. The claimant alleged the other guest slipped on fake “stage blood” that had been sprayed onto the audience by the performing band. The claimant states he sustained injuries and damages as a result of the incident.

The Connecticut District Court, ruling on an issue of first impression, held that the venue’s liability insurer does not have a duty to defend or indemnify the venue as a matter of law in relation to the pending Superior Court Action because the liability policy’s Thrown Objects Exclusion bars coverage.

Kate is a partner who specializes in insurance coverage and general defense litigation and handles a broad range of coverage issues under commercial general liability, homeowners and property policies, professional liability and automobile liability, as well as claims for bad faith, unfair insurance practices and extra-contractual liability.